Thailand drops charges against Red Bull heir in deadly hit-and-run

 

FILE PHOTO: Reuters

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Criminal charges in Thailand have been dropped against the heir to the Red Bull energy drink fortune who was accused in a 2012 hit-and-run that killed a police officer, police said on Friday.

 

Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya had faced charges of speeding, hit-and-run and reckless driving causing death.

 

An arrest warrant has also been withdrawn, said Thanawut Sanguansuk, deputy head of Thonglor police station, told Reuters.

 

Vorayuth was accused of crashing his black Ferrari into a policeman on a motorcycle in Bangkok and fleeing the scene, dragging the officer’s body for several dozen metres.

 

Thai authorities finally issued an arrest warrant for Vorayuth five years after the accident, after he missed eight legal summons.

 

Vorayuth is a grandson of the late Chaleo Yoovidhya, creator of the Krating Daeng, or Red Bull, energy drink.

 

Chaleo, 88, was listed as the third richest person in Thailand at the time of his death in 2012, with an estimated net worth of $5 billion, according to Forbes magazine.

 

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat. Writing by Orathai Sriring, Editing by Franklin Paul and Elaine Hardcastle)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-24

 

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11 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand drops charges against Red Bull heir in deadly hit-and-run

How the other half (or 1%) live !

If he had been some poor peasant farmer, this would never have happened.

I wonder how the family of the deceased feel about this strange decision ?

Just now, Thaiwrath said:

How the other half (or 1%) live !

If he had been some poor peasant farmer, this would never have happened.

I wonder how the family of the deceased feel about this strange action ?

I am sure they received a payout to keep them quiet.

...and that's how you get away with it in Thailand.

Country of impunity. Where those high up with connections going up high(er) get away with all sorts of cri.. stuff. Will THailand ever know true and fair justice for all?

It was the only logical conclusion in the matter.

And no mention of why the charges have been dropped.

Absolutely disgusting.  Corruption is alive and bigger than ever in Thailand.  This is like defecating on the victims grave.  You kill someone you should face court no matter who you are.

Cop killer walks free...oh wait. My bad. Here I was thinking this is earth shattering news. It's just a typical Friday in Thailand.

1 hour ago, PoodThaiMaiDai said:

I am sure they received a payout to keep them quiet.

You would assume a deal has been done all round to get to this point. 

It was expected. Thailand is decades, generations, away from sorting out stuff like this. In supposed first world countries, people can mow others down as long as they have a certain 'immunity'.

Sadly typical Thailand. Money is more important than justice and what is right. Just like years ago a certain person killed a policeman in front of numerous witnesses and the charges were dropped.

A stint in the temple and he was a government minister.

 

If i was Thai I would be absolutely ashamed and embarrassed that this continually goes on and people just accept it. A very sad day in Thai history.

1 hour ago, Don Mega said:

It was the only logical conclusion in the matter.

Based on Thailand's culture, it is indeed. 

6 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

... 

 

If i was Thai I would be absolutely ashamed and embarrassed that this continually goes on and people just accept it...

Some Thai are indeed ashamed, but the great majority just accept the system. 

They take advantage of it regularly themselves, in one way or another. 

Just now, luckyluke said:

Some Thai are indeed ashamed, but the great majority just accept the system. 

They take advantage of it regularly themselves, in one way or another. 

Agree'd, No doubt there will be many butthurt over it but they won't think twice to take advantage of it should the need arise.

I wonder the final price that was settled on and how it was divvied up.

6 minutes ago, Curt1591 said:

I wonder the final price that was settled on and how it was divvied up.

Most likely the family got the least of the lot, most went to the usual guys.

2 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

I wonder how the family of the deceased feel about this strange decision ?

A lot wealthier!

How rotten to the stinking core this cesspit has become hurry up students and farmers ????

Pretty clear cut, if you are rich, it's ok to kill !

I thought it was about the time that passed and not being caught.how many charges did he receive.One may have dropped but I think a couple still stand

1 hour ago, Kadilo said:

You would assume a deal has been done all round to get to this point. 

with big money...

Unbelievable thats what it is, if you are seriously rich , this case proves you can get away with murder.

Once again the police farce show just how pathetic and useless they are.

6 minutes ago, bristolgeoff said:

I thought it was about the time that passed and not being caught.how many charges did he receive.One may have dropped but I think a couple still stand

Obviously not!

16 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

How rotten to the stinking core this cesspit has become hurry up students and farmers ????

Has become ?

 

555, what rock you been hiding under !

2 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Unbelievable thats what it is, if you are seriously rich , this case proves you can get away with murder.

Once again the police farce show just how pathetic and useless they are.

Happens daily on many levels, don't lose any sleep over it.

9 minutes ago, bristolgeoff said:

I thought it was about the time that passed and not being caught.how many charges did he receive.One may have dropped but I think a couple still stand

I think the vehicular manslughter one still had a few years left on it before they could no longer prosecute.

23 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

A lot wealthier!

The family got 3000000 Baht. 

26 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

Pretty clear cut, if you are rich, it's ok to kill !

It gives you certainly more privileges. 

And accepted as such by the majority of Thai people. 

I am sure @Yinn will explain us how this is perfectly normal and we Farang should stop wingeing.